DPR and LPR as successors of Ukraine: Will Russian government recognize them?

Russia should recognize the DPR and LPR as Ukraine’s successor states, said journalist Vladimir Soloviev on air of Vesti FM radio station on April 10, Rossa Primavera News Agency reports.

According to Soloviev, the official recognition of the Poroshenko regime by the Russian leadership in 2014 was a mistake. The journalist believes that it is not too late to break diplomatic relations with an unfriendly country, which recognizes Russia an “aggressor” for 4 years already. Instead, it would be better “to consider recognition of Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics”, said in response Vladimir Kornilov, the guest of the show.

“This is where I’m going: to not just recognize the DPR and LPR, but recognize them as the successor of Ukraine,” Soloviev finished Kornilov’s thought. In essence, the guest agreed with the host but stressed that the Donbass residents “the least want to be called Ukraine” now.

The idea of the diplomatic recognition of the DPR and LPR was previously voiced by Semyon Bagdasarov, a political scientist. On air of Vesti FM radio station on January 31, 2017, he said that it was necessary to stop “playing” with Poroshenko, as the Russian authorities have done so far. According to the political scientist, it is possible to end this dangerous game with one stroke of a pen: it is only necessary to officially recognize the independence of DPR and LPR. This will put an end to self-deception and wean us from “hoping for a miracle” that can not be expected from a hostile Kiev regime, believes Bagdasarov.

Despite all the nuances, the Russian side officially recognized Poroshenko as the legitimate Ukrainian president on August 25, 2014. Then, Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, considered that the “mandate of confidence”, which was given to the newly elected head of Ukraine, will help “to stop the war” on Donbass territory. In fact, it did not happen and could hardly have happened.

DPR and LPR are still not recognized by the Russian authorities, although it does not do without gradual shifts in this direction. For example, passports of both proclaimed republics are valid on the territory of Russia since February 18, 2018.

Editorial comment

Caution of the Russian authorities in such a sensitive issue as a relationship with an obviously unfriendly neighbour openly supported by the cumulative West is understandable. However, this undertaking is ambiguous, just like other undertakings of our current elite. After all, many “at the top” continue to sincerely hope that the Poroshenko regime will suddenly come to its senses and stop killing the residents of Donbass. Such conviction is somewhat similar to their belief that Russia will be able to become friends with the West again, even after the reunification with Crimea.